The term infancy derives from Latin roots meaning
a. little one.
b. not speaking.
c. dependent.
d. small child.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. not speaking.
The term infancy comes from the Latin word infans, which literally means “not speaking” or “unable to speak.” This root breaks down into in- meaning “not” and fans derived from fari, meaning “to speak.” The term originally referred to the very early stage of human life when a child has not yet developed the ability to talk.
Infancy is a period characterized by rapid physical and cognitive development, beginning at birth and extending roughly through the first year or two of life. The name reflects an important milestone of this stage—the inability to communicate verbally. Infants rely primarily on nonverbal signals such as crying, facial expressions, and body movements to express their needs and emotions before they acquire speech.
The other options are related to childhood but are not accurate etymologically. For example, “little one” or “small child” might describe a child, but the Latin root for infancy specifically relates to speechlessness. “Dependent” describes the reliance infants have on caregivers but is not the literal meaning of the term’s Latin origin.
Understanding the root of infancy highlights how language captures developmental stages. It points to a phase when communication depends on nonverbal means because spoken language has not yet emerged. This also emphasizes the importance of caregivers’ responsiveness to infants’ signals during this foundational period for language and social development.
In summary, infancy comes from Latin infans, meaning “not speaking,” accurately reflecting the early life stage before verbal communication begins.